AOL Broadband

[TruthSeeker]

Is it worth it? Is the service reliable?

Should I get it instead of dialup?

For Canadians, anyone know if Rogers (or someone else) is better?


Thanks so much

 

[Kilted_Canuck]

I've always thought AOL=Satan, but that's just me. In Sask we have an option between two local providers, Access and Sasktel. Both are really good and being local means tech support is easy and fast. Anything relatively small and local in your area? (though I'd probably trust Rogers more than AOL, they seem to have a good record)

 

[Brian]

AOL is a bunch of useless "features" and advertising for twice the price of other ISP's. That 5X's faster thing is used by other ISP's. They just compress and give slightly less resolution. AOL is a product who's time has passed, but they have a higher advertisement budget.
In my opinion.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Is it worth it?

It has "AOL" as part of the name. So my guess would be......no.

 

[LJRuss]

Broadband

Please fo to www.dslreports.com as a primer on fast access. Find your area and go for it.

I will not get involved on speed issues at this time.

Thank you/

 

[evildave]

In general, if there isn't already broadband installed to your home such as DSL or cable, AOL broadband will not be available. If you do have DSL or cable to your house, another ISP is providing it locally.

If there is broadband installed, AOL will be leasing bandwidth from them, and you will have the longer round-trip to AOL's spyware enhanced DNS and get all their advertising junk though the same hardware your local ISP uses. In other words, you are subject to exactly the same bottlenecks as with your local ISP, except with an AOL brand attached to it.

Unless AOL has cut a magnificently cheaper deal, your local ISP is the better place to go.

 

[Smike]

I use AOL broadband at home. It works, but you have to use the AOL browser (or at least have it open), which is kind of annoying.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Thanks folks. It is as I thought.

 

[RayG]

Is it worth it?

Probably not.

Is the service reliable?

Yes. Is it configurable? No. Can you choose what content you'll get on the 'Welcome' page? No.

Should I get it instead of dialup?

Yes, if that's the only broadband available. Broadband is better than dialup no matter who provides it.

For Canadians, anyone know if Rogers (or someone else) is better?

My order of preference would be:

Sympatico
Rogers
AOL
Dialup

RayG